Motion picture machine



Dec. 8, 1931.

G. F. D. ROLLINGS 1,835,240

MOTION PICTURE MACHINE Filed Sept. 1 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l J I 3:? N &\E R 111: Illllllll'llll mllllllll|1 I N VEN TOR.

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A TTORNE Y.

Dec. 8, 1931. G. F.D. ROLLINGS MOTION PICTURE MACHINE Filed Sept. 1929 2Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

A TTORNE Y.

Patented Dec. 8, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT orrica GEORGE E. D. BOLLINGS,OI CHEBBYDALE, VIRGINIA xo'rron PICTURE xacnma Application fledSeptember My invention relates to means for synchronizing the operationof a motion picture projecting machine and a sound reproducing machine.

An important object of the invention is to rovide adjustable drivingconnecting means etweenone of the rotating parts of a motion pictureprojecting machine and the rotatable platen of the sound reproducing ma-1 chine, whereby the synchronism of the operation of the two machinesmay be readily restored and maintained.

A further object of the invention is to provide meansof the abovementioned character which is adjustable to drive the platen in oppositedirections, so that records feedin both inwardly and outwardly may beemp oyed.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby the platenmay be supported and rotated in a level position, when it is desired totilt that portion of the motion picture projecting machine to which thesound reproducing machine is attached.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby thedriving connecting 1 means may be quickly adjusted and to also providefor a fine adjustment.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby a portionof the driving connecting means is removable as a unit.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby the soundproducing machine may be supported at a convenient elevation, for propermanipulation by the operator.

A further object of the invention is to pro vide means of the abovementioned character which is simple in construction, strong,durable andreliable in operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent duringthe course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, formlng a 5 part of this specification,and in which like numerals are em loyed to designate like partsthroughout t e same,

Figure 1 is a front elevation of apparatus embodying my invention,

Figure 2 is a-side elevation of the drlvlng shaft and coupling, parts insection,

14, 1929. Serial No. 892,823.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of a remov able unit of the drivingconnecting means,

Figure 3 is a plan view of the sound reproducing machine, and,

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the same, showing the angularadjustability of the platen support.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line 55 of Fig. 1.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration, is shown apreferred'embodi: ment of my invention, the numeral 10 designates amotion picture projecting machine of any well known or preferred type,embodying a lens 11 and support 12. The parts 10 and 12 constitute thehead of the rojector, and are supported for angular a justment.

As is well known, the ordinary type of motion picture projecting machineis driven b a motor and the film is advanced by the driving action ofthe motor upon a chain of gears. One of these rotatable gears isdesignated by the numeral 13 and is shown as equipped with a hub 14,rotatable therewith. The rotating element or gear 13 of the motionpicture projecting machine is also employed to drive the soundreproducing machine, in my present invention, in a manner to properlysynchronize the operation of the two machines. In accordance with thepresent invention, the sound reproducing machine is attached to themotion picture projecting machine adjacent to the head of the same, withthe ad; vantage that the sound reproducing machine is supported at aconvenient elevation and is also free from the injurious effect ofvibrations which usually occur in connection with machines wherein thesound reproducin unit is not directly supported from the he of themotion picture machine. In accordl ance with the present invention, Iprovide a generally rectangular supporting frame 15, includinghorizontal bars 16 and 17 and a vertical bar 18. The bar 16 is rigidlyattached to the head 10 b the projector, while the bar 17 may be rigidlyattached to the base 12 adjacent to the head 10. V I Arranged above thebar 16 and bolted or otherwise rigidly secured 'thereto is a pair a ofears 19, which are apertured to receive upper bar 16 slot 38. to receivebolts or pivots 20 passing through the apertured ears 21 of an invertedU-shaped support 22. This support may be turned upon the pivots 20 foreffecting relative angular adjustments between the support 22 and theframe 15. The cars 19 have screw-threaded openings formed therein forreceiving the screw-threaded ends of clamping screws 23, operatingthrough segmental slots 24, Figure 4, also formed in the ears 19. Bymanipulation of the clamping screws, the support 22 may be locked inadjustment upon the ears, at selectedangular positions with relationthereto. v

The numeral 24 designates a rotatable platen or table having a hub 25arranged beneath the same and rigidly secured thereto. This hub andplaten have an upwardly tapering opening to receive a tapered pin 26,carried by a rotating shaft section 27. This shaft section is formedintegral with the pin 26. The pin 26 being tapered is.locked to the huband platen for rotation therewith, when these parts are suitably driventogether. The shaft section 27 is journaled through a suitable bearing28 in the top of the support 22, and a ball bearing 29 is preferablyarranged between the hub 25 and the bearing 28. One element 30 of auniversal joint is permanently and rigidly mounted upon the shaft 27 andis preferably detachably connected with the companion element 31 of theuniversal joint. This companion element is rigidly and permanentlymounted upon a vertical drive shaft 32." The drive shaft 32 ispreferably vertically arranged, and disposed upon one side of the same,in parallel relation thereto, is a feed screw 33. The vertical driveshaft 32 and feed screw 33, have their upper ends journaled in bear--ings 34 and 35, respectively, carried by a common bed plate 36,detachably securedto the by bolts 37, or the like. The upper bar 16 isprovided with a transverse the shaft 32. The lower ends of the driveshaft 32 and feed screw 33 are journaled in bearings 39 and 40, carriedby a common bed plate 41, detachably secured to the lower bar 17 bybolts 42 or the like. The bar 17 has a transverse slot 43, for thepassage of the lower end of the feed screw, as shown. It is thus seenthat by disconnecting the elements 30 and 31 of the universal joint,that the bed plates 36 and 41 may be separated from thebars 16 and 17,and the drive shaft 32 and feed screw 33, and elements carried thereby,removed as a unit.

Arranged within the frame 15 is a horizontal connecting shaft 44, theouter end of which is journaled in a bearing 45,- carried by a verticalbar 46, attached to the bars 16 and 17. The inner end of the shaft has asleeve 46 splined thereon, to move longitudinally of the same and turntherewith. This sleeve carries a socket 47, formed integral pressiblecoil tical bar 18.

with the same, and this socket is adapted to engage over the hub 14 ofthe gear or rotatmg element 13 and to be clamped thereto by means ofa'bolt 48 or the like. Arranged within the sleeve 46 is a suitably stiffcomthe hub 14 and the connecting shaft 44 and tending to shift theconnecting shaft longi- -tudina1ly outwardly.

Rigidly mounted upon the outer end of the connecting shaft 44 is avertically disposed friction disc formed of metal or like material, andthe vertical drive shaft 32 is disposed diametrically with respect tothis vertical disc. A friction wheel 51 is arranged to engage with theface of the disc 50 and is splined upon'the vertical drive shaft 32, tomove longitudinally thereof and turn therewith. The periphery of thefriction wheel 51 is preferably formed of leather, fabric or othersuitable material. The friction wheel embodies a hub 52, having a groove53, to receive a shifting fork 54, secured to a sliding element or block55. This sliding element or block has a screw-threaded opening toreceive the feed screw 33. The spring 49 forces the disc 50 into properfrictional engagement with the wheel 51, whereby these elements rotatewithout slippage.

A quick adjustment of the friction wheel 51 is effected by means of alarge gear 55, supported upon a shaft 56, attached to the versmallergear 57, rigidly mounted upon the lower end of the feed screw 33. Aknurled wheel 58 is rigidly mounted upon the feed screw 33 beneath thesmaller gear 57 and is employed in effecting fine adjustments of thefriction wheel 51.

'Theslide is provided with a pointer 59, for co-action with a scale 60.This scale is preferably graduated in tenths of an inch, or finer, ifdesirable, and runs from zero at the center outwardly in oppositedirections. Rigidly attached to the support 22, above its pivots 20, area pair of arms 61, extending parallel with the platen 24 and radiallybeyond the same. These arms carry at their outer ends a platform 62,rigidl secured thereto and an arm 63 is supporte upon the platform, toswing. vertically and horizontally, and for this purpose has a universalmounting upon a support 64. This arm is equipped at its free end with areproducer 65, such as the modern type of electrical reproduceror'pick-up, having a needle to engage in the grooves of the record to beplaced upon the platen 24. As the construction of the sound reproducingmeans, per se, is old, no further description of the same is thought tobe necessary. It should be stated, however, that in connection withrecords to be played .with motion picture projecting machines,

there are two types of records. One type is such that the needle travelsinwardly, and

This large gear engages a,

spring 49, engaglng between 0 the other outwardly, when the record isplayed. By the means which I have provided, the directionof rotation ofthe platen may be readily reversed, making it possible to use theapparatus with either of these two types of records.

In the operation of sound reproducin machines, employing a record, ithas been ound very diflicult to synchronize the reproduction of thesound with the projection of the picture, and more diflicultto restorethe synchronism when it is broken. This is due largely to the fact thatit has been the ractice to use a driving connection between tiie motionpicture pro ecting machine and the sound reproducing machine, which isof such a character that considerable lostmotion occurs. F urther, thesedriving connections are such that they are not adjustable to restore theloss of synchronism. The ordinary practice is to attempt to restore thesynchronism by lifting the needle from the groove of the record andreturning the same to another point of the groove.

In the use of my invention, the rotation of the gear 13 is imparted tothe shaft 44, driving the disc 50, which in turn drives the frictionwheel 51. This rotation is imparted to the shaft section 27 through themedium of the universal joint. The shaft section 27 ro tates the platen24, carrying the record. The friction wheel 51 is adjusted radially uponthe disc 50 by turning the feed screw 33, so that the projection of thepicture and the reproduction of the sound is synchronized.

Should the synchronism be broken durin the operation, it is restored bythe radial ad ustment by the friction wheel 51. The extent of radialadjustment of the friction wheel 51 is indicated by the pointer 59 uponthe scale 60. When the pointer 59 is at zero upon the scale the wheel 51is at the center of the friction disc 50. By shifting the friction wheel50 upon the opposite side of the center of the friction disc 50, thedirection of rotation of the platen 24 may be reversed. It is thus seenthat not only the direction ofrotation of the disc may be reversed, butits speed of rotation when turning in either direction may be accuratelyvaried for effecting proper synchronism.

Another cause of the imperfect reproduction of sound by machines of thisgeneral type is that the platen carrying the record become inclined whenit is necessary to change the inclination of the head of. the projector.When rotating the record at an inclination, the needle is caused toscrape upon the side wall of the groove, distorting the sound andfrequentl producing a raspmg noise. This ditiiculty 1s entirely overcomein the use of my machine, as the platen is maintained level irsame, andthat various changes in the shape,

size and arrangement of parts, may be resorted to without departing fromthe spirit of my invention, or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. The combination with amotion picture projecting machine embodying a head angularly adjustablein a generally vertical plane, of a support mounted upon the head,asound reproducing machine embodying a rotatable platen, means forsupporting the platen and mounted upon the support, said means beingangularly adjustable in a generally vertical plane so that the platenmay be maintained level when the head is at an inclination, and means todrive the platen from a rotating element of the projecting machine.

2. The combination with a motion picture projecting machine embodying ahead angularly adjustable in a generally vertical plane, of a supportingelement mounted upon the head, a sound reproducing machine embodying arotatable platen, supporting means for the platen mounted upon thesupporting element, said supporting means being angularly adjustable ina generally vertical plane so that the platen may be maintained levelwhen the head is inclined, a shaft section connected with the platen todrive the same, a drive shaft mounted upon the supporting element, auniversal joint connecting the shaft section and drive shaft, andpositive driving means operated by a rotating element of the projectingmachine and serving to rotate the drive shaft.

3. The combination with a motion picture projecting machine embodying anangularly adjustable head, of a supporting element mounted upon thehead, a sound reproducing machine embodying a rotatable platen,supporting means for the platen angularly adjustably mounted upon thesupporting element so that the platen may be maintained level when thehead is inclined, a vertical shaft section connected with the platen todrive the same, a normally vertical drive shaft mounted upon thesupporting element, a universal joint connectlng the shaft section anddrive shaft, a horizontal connecting shaft mounted upon the supportingelement and connected with a rotating part of the projecting machine, afriction disc carried by the connecting shaft, a friction wheel splinedupon the drive shaft and engaging the friction disc, and means to shiftthe friction wheel longitudinally upon the drive shaft.

4. The combination with a motion picture projecting machine including ahead which is angularly adjustably supported, of a supporting elementdirectly mounted upon the head, a sound reproducing machine including arotating platen, a support for the platen pivotally mounted upon thesupportingelem'ent so that the platen may be maintained level when thehead is inclined, means to clamp the support in the selected adjustedposition,

a vertical shaft section connected with the a normally vertical driveshaft mountplaten, ed upon the supporting element, a universal jointconnecting the drive shaft with the shaft section, a feed screwextending longitudinally of the drive shaft and mounted upon thesupporting element, a friction wheel splined upon the drive shaft, ashifting device for the friction wheel carried by the feed screw, meansto turn the feed screw, a friction disc engaging the friction wheel, anda horizontal connecting shaft secured to the friction disc and a movablepart of the projecting machine.

5. The combination with a motion picture projecting machine embodying anangularly adjust-ably supported'head, of a supporting frame directlymounted upon the head, a sound reproducing machine embodying a rotatingplaten, means to support the platen and angularly adjustably mountedupon the frame, a shaft section to drive the platen, a drive shaft, adetachable universal joint connecting the drive shaft and shaft section,a feed screw extending longitudinally of the drive shaft, a frictionwheel splined upon the drive shaft, a shifting element for the frictionwheel carried by the feed screw, means to turn the feed screw, bearingmeans for the drive shaft and feed screw and detachably mounted upon theframe so that the drive shaft and feed screw may be removed therefrom asa unit, a connecting shaft secured to a rotating part of the projectingmachine, and a friction disc connected with the drive shaft and engagingthe friction wheel.

6. The combination with a motion picture projecting machine embodying ahead angularly adjustable in a generally vertical plane, of a supportmounted upon the head, a sound reproducing machine embodying a rotatableplaten, supporting means arranged between the platen and support formounting the platen upon the support, said supporting means beingadjustable in a manner to maintain the platen level when the head is atan inclination, and means to drive the platen from a rotating element ofthe projecting machine;

i In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

7 GEORGE F. D. ROLLINGS.

